Way back when, in the mid 1980’s I got a my first scooter. All my friends had Vespas but this was something different. For $300 I got a 1965 Lambretta TV200 in original condition. I quickly rattlecanned it red and white and rode it all the time. It had a host of Lambretta and TV related problems that I slowly learned about over a few years. Some issues were fixed, some never got fixed. Eventually it got a nice paintjob with real materials and a tuned cylinder, 30mm Dellorto carb, and Fresco expansion chamber. A photographer named Mark Rabiner took pictures of a bunch of us around 1986. Here's his shot of me back in the day.

After a few years, I sold it to someone in California. Big mistake. I went through a series of other Lambrettas and a few Vespas. I had a Series 1 Li125 with a Dave Webster tuned 190 motor, a Series 3 Li125 with the same motor (damn that was fast), a P200E, a J100 Cento, a Primavera, a GS160, a 1966 SX200, another GS160, and a TV175, plus several others that I can't remember. But my favorite was always that damn TV200.

Twentysomething years later I bought a 1965 Lambretta TV200 in pieces from Craig through LCUSA that is in far from original condition. The body is in great shape but the silver paint could use a little updating. Several of the bits are chromed. This isn’t the coolest thing right now but I can appreciate the 80’s aesthetic. I’m keeping the chrome and embracing the era. The motor needs a full rebuild, but at least it’s original. Being a basketcase, there is a host of missing parts, but all the important stuff is there. The plan is to build up a scooter similar to my original TV200, but with a higher quality build that I was never able to afford back then. A standard red and white two tone with chrome bits and a slightly tuned engine. I’ll be using a mildly ported GP cylinder bored out to 225cc, a 28mm BGM PWK carb, and a PM expansion chamber. 12V electronic ignition is also a must. It won't be fully stock or original, but I don't think this particular one really should be.